I Hear His Spirit

I want to share a common human experience, and to offer suggestions of success in rising above those experiences, to a better life. Does situations in life, such as relationships, employment, health, etc., provide you with no satisfaction? Do you find yourself finding fought or blaming others for your discomforts? Are you always needing or having to say, “I’m sorry”? If you answered yes to all of the above, you are not by yourself. I’ve been there, too.

These were demons that caused me a lot of pain, suffering, heartache, and lots of alone time. What I call personal demons. Yes, they are demons because they bring about lack and pain. I stood on a self-made foundations based on a perception, and appetite for temporary pleasures and temporary rewards. I was not being in the present. Not being realistic. I could not get a clue of what was happening, as a result of the consequences from the choices I was making. I was causing my unhappiness by not making the right decisions. I could not get motivated in a positive direction. I was a compete mess. No set goals or direction, and no purpose. I had no idea, of how to change things for the better.

Then a “light bulb” finally came on. I found out that I was trying to please and be of service to the natural man and not the spiritual man within me. Meaning, my focus was on outside appearance and things. How I looked, and how many things I could possess. There was no need to listen to anyone, unless there was a physical connection or at least some personal gains I saw apparent. The Spiritual man, meaning, I had no ear for my internal signals, which receive truth, joy, peace, love, and happiness, enhanced by holistic creations. Some call it “the first mind”.

Like so many people, I just wanted to have fun. I found out that it took great effort to have fun. It required so much effort, tolerating, people and their ignorance just to avoid unnecessary confrontations. Not speaking up in defense, knowing that all that negative energy could easily turn on me, and I knew I wasn’t strong enough to handle it. I would accept what was presented to me, never initiating, always, just trying to make the best of the situation. I did not seek people, I just presented myself, and I always got attention or noticed. Therefore, it was more about how you felt about me and made me feel, than being about you or your concerns and needs. Relationships chose me. All I had to do was present myself approachable, and friendly. To get my way, I understood very well, what I called, the “Art of Being Approachable”, that is, being confident, yet, not snooty about my being such a “great prize.” I thought I had all the answers and knew just what to say and when to say it, and more times than not, I did. If any of this sound familiar, or if you can identify, I am sure you also have found out that even though everything was fun, fun, fun, something was wrong, wrong, wrong.

I knew something important in my life was missing. That something missing was, I could not hear for my higher purpose. I did not hear what really pleased the spirit in me. I did not know truth.

The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jn. 1:14

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn. 14:6

You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.Jn. 18:37

But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.Jn 16:13

Truth is reality, steadfastness, a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, etc. Truth is like seeing through clear glass, and trusting its visual and spiritual comfort as direction. The visual, now controls the movement.

Acts 10:19-20) While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

No longer walking unawares, but walking forever purposeful. I now know, the Holy Spirit leads those true believers of Holy Scripture as it was then, is now, and continue to be presently. We have an advocate that is always with us. Our Savior ascended to the Father, and sent to us this person (the Holy Spirit), to be with us at all times. God leads the Holy Spirit. God is Spirit. This spirit I am talking about is life.

(Jn. 6:63) the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

His Spirit was never born and shall never die. He always was and always will be. I received the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit.

Listen!! One day, I remember, it well, I was going about my daily routine of "fun seeking" and walked passed a storefront church. This church had a speaker system blasting words that you could hear from the middle of the block, yet it did not seem to disturb anyone. People just walked past. Some folks turning a head, in the loud speakers direction, and others just walked past and talked louder, and louder, until they passed clear of the speaker over the door. I could hear the message. The voice from inside said, "I Hear His Spirit". I stopped, and gave attention.

Those words seem to be unrealistic to me.Whose spirit, I asked, myself is he talking about? I reasoned, in my mind, you heard a voice, why call that voice a spirit. I reach for the doorknob. I do not remember opening the door. Someone was standing at the door. A tall slim man peeped through a curtained window on the green colored door and opened it. He smiled, handed me a program, and directed me to a seat. The place was full of men, women, and children dressed in white garments. It looked like a sea of clouds with various hues of brown, from light to very dark spots sprinkled on top. Everyone was focused on the speaker, who was also dressed in white. He had on a long white robe, white shoes and a white handkerchief tied around his neck. Behind him were religious articles and candles, and a picture of a woman holding a man stretched across her lap. The walls were green and gold, and the seats were white metal chairs, lined 12 across and at least 15 rows separated by a chained-off center isle with equal amounts of seats on the other side of the center isle.

A very calming, safe, yet disturbing feeling came over me. Disturbing because everyone seemed, I felt, aware of me, yet they did not look in my direction. It was as if we were all, knowingly, in this place for the same purpose, and needed no introduction other than an occasional glance of acknowledgment. I did not feel uncomfortable, yet I felt awkwardly, relaxed, as if I were not in control of my movements. I mean, I think I wanted to leave but I really had no excuse for leaving. I was on my way somewhere, but that somewhere was not as important as this very moment, in this church. It was okay for me to stay, and just be. Then, an elderly woman, sitting next to me, touched my hand and whispered "are you here for Rev.'s birthday celebration”? I said yes (afraid if I said no that I might hurt her feelings). I really wanted to hear what the voice that led me into the storefront meant when I heard it say "I Hear His Spirit". So, I said to the elderly woman sitting next to me, “yes”, and looked away quickly leaving the impression that no further conversation was necessary. She smiled and said nothing else. I felt as if I belonged and was a part of something.

The Preacher raised his voice and said: “The old man must die. The new man is alive and embraces life. Believers in Truth do not dwell on the past. They are transformed (Romans 12:2). I know the Holy Spirit will direct those who are called according to His purpose, to a home church. The Scripture says you cannot serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. He went on to say, ye cannot serve God and mammon. Embrace life and live it to the fullest. You shall be victorious in all your endeavors. Why because, Jesus is a Healer because He heals. Jesus is a Mind restorer because he restores the soul. He prepares a table for us and leads us in the Paths of Righteousness for His names sake. As we walk through this expression of life, we have no fear because He is always with us. We believe this because the Word of God says He will never leave us alone. Trust in the Lord and do good, and I promise you, He will instruct you and direct you in the way you shall go. I Hear His Spirit.”

The preacher went on and on, almost like a boxer, one punch after another, seemingly, stopping only to take a breath of air. Then he came back with the energy and passion of a professional racehorse rider, poised and focused. I was now the only person in the audience (as far as I was concerned). He was speaking directly to me. He even glanced my way answering the questions in my mind. Questions like am I alone, if not who is with me. He looked in my direction and said, "you are not alone, He is always with you, through the good and the bad, trust in Him and He will see you through, He will teach you how to really live in this world. Not the next world, but in this world."

From that night, I was never the same. I began attending that same church regularly, volunteering, working, delivering home-cooked dinners to seniors, tithing, cleaning, etc. I was never the same. I am no longer the same. I am a new creature experiencing the newest of life, each and every day. Sharing this same Truth to who ever will listen. I know that there is a presence of a much, much higher power than myself. I Hear His Spirit, too.